Revised proceedings - The System of Rice Intensification - Cornell ...

cultivation in many countries. Some principles of the SRI method are already being practiced by many
farmers in Bangladesh.
For effective replication of any new technology or practice in agriculture, the current policy of taking up more
and more short-term 'projects' should not continue to be a primary focus. In the case of SRI, the Agriculture
Ministry of the present government would support undertaking SRI demonstration and extension activities as
part of a regular programme of the Department of Agricultural Extension that will be sustainable. She
observed that it has become a practice that while a project runs, some changes are visible, but after the end of
the project, no follow-up activities are undertaken to sustain the impact of the project.
She said that labour is a big concern of farmers of Bangladesh, and it is often believed that SRI is labourintensive.
Labour is becoming scarce in rural area. Therefore, the SRI promoters should take into account
that intensifying labour requirement may be a burden to marginal farmers.
She informed further that Boro rice cultivation has been gaining in popularity over other rice seasons on the
ground that environmentally it is relatively less hazardous. In the Haor area, we need to go for short-duration
rice varieties. She feels, however, that if all efforts are given over to rice cultivation in Boro season throughout
the country, it may lead to overtaxing of farmers‟ time and resources. Cost of production is very high during
the Boro season. Amon rice cultivation is being neglected. If everybody concentrates on Boro, it would not be
a reasonable approach to promoting agriculture in Bangladesh. She agreed that Boro yield is increased, but she
pondered, at what cost? Does cost-benefit analysis indicate it to be comparatively most profitable?
She called the attention of all concerned to the focus on issues of northern Bangladesh, which is being overstudied.
She insisted that scientists and other stakeholders concentrate also in other parts of the country. All
parts of Bangladesh should be supported and taken advantage of, in an equitable manner.
She cited the present disaster in the Haor due to early flash flood that inundated nearly 50,000 hectares of
standing rice. Prevention of such a disaster could only be addressed by the joint efforts of the Water Board,
and agricultural research and agricultural extension. Scientists did not disseminate proper knowledge to Haor
farmers on the unsuitability of BR 29, a long-duration variety. She claimed that information from the media
suggests that BR 28 which would have been more appropriate to the Haor area was not promoted; rather BR
29 was promoted for the ulterior benefit of traders.
The Ministry of Agriculture welcomes more research. She said research on increase of yield is given priority.
Further research on SRI can be undertaken to check the hurdles remaining and on things that are hampering
the expansion of SRI. Our main focus in looking at any technology should be: whether it benefits the farmers
economically and contributes to better food security.
She emphasized that research results must be sustainable. Scientists and activists should take all measures
that farmers are able to sustain the benefit of the research. They should see that the farmers are able to grasp
the knowledge and skill to keep up with the technology and gain from practicing what they suggest. We
welcome technology / knowledge that increase yield, she added. Agriculture farming is conducted by the
private sector, and therefore arbitrators are the farmers – farmers will take the final decision on whether to
accept or reject any technology. She suggested that scientists and NGOs work in close collaboration and in
consultation with farmers. Improved and appropriate crop management practices must be taken to the
farmers‟ field to derive best results. Keeping them in the researchers‟ field is not enough.
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